12 April 2018 - The Asian Gelato Cup aims to create new culinary trends and to raise the leval of creativity and professionalism by showcasing Asia’s finest artisanship. Organised by UBM, supported by the Singapore Pastry Alliance and partnered with Carpigiani, the world leader of gelato machines, The Asian Gelato Cup, the very first official Asian selection for the Coppa del Mondo of Gelateria (Gelato World Cup), will take place at Singapore Expo between April 24 and 27, 2018.

The event will set a new milestone for Singapore and will be held in conjunction with Food&HotelAsia (FHA). South East Asia is known for leading dietary and robust food trends. The 2015 Gelato World Tour for the Asia Pacific Finals in Singapore saw the emergence of gelato champions like Sharon Tay of Singapore’s Momolato and Keewin Ong of Cielo Dolci in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The inaugural launch of the Asian Gelato Cup is set to encourage individuals, businesses and entrepreneurs in Asia to join and tap the global multi-billion frozen dessert industry. Eleven teams from 10 Asian regions (Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka) are confirmed. Out of these, three will emerge as winners and will get to represent their regions at the Coppa del Mondo of Gelateria (Gelato World Cup) 2020 at Sigep, in Rimini, Italy (www.sigep.it).

The winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of judges, headed by Giancarlo Timballo, president, Gelato World Cup. The panel will comprise Philippines’ television chef Jackie Ang Po and Louis Tanuhadi, general secretary, Indonesian Pastry Alliance, among others. Medals and certificates will also be presented for Best Gelato Cake, Best Plated Dessert, Best Artistic Showpiece, Best Tasting Gelato Prize and Best Team Spirit.

“The Asian gelato market is still to be discovered, Asian Gelato Cup will give us a better understanding of the professional level linked to the competing nations. My expectations are mainly aimed at unveiling innovative flavours that put in the spotlight Asian typical fruit and spices. The Asian teams that already took part in Coppa del Mondo della Gelateria in the previous years (Japan, Singapore, Korea) have shown highly skills and a unique professional attitude. We look forward to see a trailblazing competition” said Giancarlo Timballo, President of Coppa del Mondo della Gelateria.

“The world’s biggest ice-cream market in 2016 was China, followed by the US and Japan, cited a Mintel research. India, Indonesia and Vietnam were among the world’s fastest growing markets, it added. Artisan gelato is one of the frozen treats that’s making inroads into Asia for its novelty and alleged health appeal. Its Italian roots make it unique, so the world leading manufacturer of gelato machines, Carpigiani, has been invited to sponsor the competition. The 11 teams will produce unusual gelato creations by using the most advanced technologies ever: Maestro High Efficiency, Pastomaster 60 RTL and Turbomixer first”, said Enrico Amesso, Sales Director of Carpigiani Professional.

When it comes to gelato production, Italy tops the European Union (EU) countries. Italian gelato makers whipped up 595 million litres of gelato (19% of total EU production) in 2016, according to Eurostat.

“A new road will be unveiled in Singapore and we are ready to make the engines roar for innovative and healthylicious tastes and businesses”, concludes Amesso.

Organised by UBM and supported by the Singapore Pastry Alliance, the Asian Gelato Cup – the first official Asian selection for the highly accredited Coppa del Mondo of Gelateria (Gelato World Cup), will be held from 24 to 27 April 2018 in conjunction with Food&HotelAsia (FHA).